Spring-Clean Your Car

Baby your ride to a showroom finish with custom car designer Stacey David, host of Gearz on the Speed Channel.

Scout the facility

Skip the drive-thru joint; those giant spinning brushes may damage your car's paint job. Instead, seek out a human-operated car wash or detailer that uses microfiber towels, auto soap such as Mother's or Meguiar's, and compounds for polishing. The TLC should involve four steps: washing, cleaning, polishing, and waxing.

Order Smart

Many full-service car washes boost their profits with bell-and-whistle extras. Keep it simple: a base wash to blast off the dirt, a clay bar to remove grime, and a polishing compound to bring out the shine. Finally, finish with a wax to seal and protect.

Spot-clean

Keep your car's paint job in good shape by treating it to a full wash every 2 or 3 weeks, a wax every 2 or 3 months, and a spot-clean each week if needed. (Bird droppings and splattered bugs can alter the finish and color of your car.) There's no need to return to the pros for the quick clean; just look for a self-operated spot that has power washers.